The Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA) 2011, which empowers the State Government to ban illegal strikes, came into effect on Friday. A notification was issued by the State Government, saying the amendments in the act have received the statutory assent of the President.The Act had been in force till May 2010, and has now been renewed with more stringent provisions. The Legislative Assembly had sought approval for the amendments to the Act, after they were cleared during the Winter Session in Nagpur December last year.The new Act will penalise those instigating, funding or participating in strikes that directly hamper public life. The new provisions cover essential services, including public transport, hospitals, government, semi-government establishments, high court employees, civic staff, teaching staff, or even those engaged in the supply of milk, water, gas and electricity.The Act imposes a six-month imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2,000 on a striker. The ‘instigators’ of a strike such as union leaders can be jailed up to one year and fined. The police can arrest offenders without a warrant and the offence has been made non-bailable